2015 Spring Clean EATing Challenge: Info and Prep

April 29, 2015

Hey friends!

So I almost didn’t do this challenge even though we’ve done it the past 2 years. I’ve been so busy with the new website, speaking, and a whole host of other things that I honestly didn’t put much thought into it, but when I asked you all on Facebook if you had interest–well, that answered it for me! I had over 500 of you comment that you were interested and over 1000 of you “liked” it to let me know. OK, then–let’s do it!

This challenge has gone GREAT both times we did it! Here are some comments that I got back from you after last year’s challenge.

“Thank you for your encouragement and especially for freeing me from following your “plan” so that I could consider how to clean up MY eating. It made a big difference in my approach and how I will continue over the next several weeks.”

“I enjoyed the challenge. I introduced some new foods to my husband and 5 kids, which they enjoyed. I’ll definitely keep eliminating processed foods from our daily diets. Fresh is best! Thanks! “

“I feel so much better. Lighter in a way. I felt a direct link between my body and my spirit when I was eating clean. It was easier to connect and quiet voices by being still vs shoving food down to quiet my soul. “

“I feel great, more empowered that I can eat healthier without feeling restricted by points or calories. I loved the verse! “

In the spirit of “spring cleaning” (because I know all of you are on top of that, right?!), we are going to be doing a little spring cleaning of our own in regards to our eating! I figure many of you who had a New Years Resolution have fallen off the bandwagon totally, or are hanging on by a thread. We are moving into warmer weather so it’s a perfect time to snap it up! (FYI–this challenge will not be focused on exercise so just keep doing what you are doing!)

I decided to do a quick video for you this afternoon addressing 2 main questions 1) Will I be providing a meal plan for you? and 2) What about supplements?

So here we go on this “Spring…Clean EATing” challenge! When I think spring cleaning in my house, 3 things (at least!) come to mind. Purge, clean, and refresh so that’s the model we are going to follow for our challenge! This is only 7 days (at least the purging) so commit and get to it! There is a printable to help you out, below, so hang in here with me ’til the end!

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Choose which of these 3 you are going to commit to. You may only want to purge this week, or maybe purge and add clean foods, or finally, purge, clean, and refresh! Each of us are at different levels in our journey and will be motivated by different things. One other note–some of you may want to detox completely–meaning of dairy, caffeine, and sugar. There are programs you can find out about online if you want to do that! (They are called an “elimination diet”, the most popular of which is Whole30, but you can find them on Dr. Hyman’s website and even at the end of the Daniel Plan (by Dr. Rick Warren) book. My hubby and I did a 10 day food elimination diet in January. Maybe I’ll blog about that!)

PURGE:

It’s time to get rid of all the junk in your kitchen. If you must keep stuff around because your family needs it, then have them hide their stuff, or purchase things you won’t be tempted by.

CLEAN:

We are cleaning up our diet…meaning that we are going to eat foods that are not processed and in their most basic forms. So not only are we detoxing from the sugars, chips, and savory foods that we may have been eating over the past few months, but we are going to be adding healthy foods. Everyone’s definition of “clean eating” looks different and that’s ok. Do your best and if this is your first time at it, don’t get too overwhelmed!

REFRESH:

Our homes always lighten and brighten as we switch out dark winter colors and move in fresh and new during the spring. We are going to do the same! It’s time to refresh some recipes…lighten things up, add some color, refresh some old snacks with newer, cleaner ones!

In general, I’d like you to follow these guidelines:

1.) Avoid any overly processed, sugary, “empty calorie” food.

Some ideas of these things? Cereal, granola bars, alcohol, sugar filled yogurts, pop, sugary coffee drinks…the list goes on and on. If you are questioning, “Should I eat this?” The answer is probably no! Ask yourself, will this get me closer to my goal, keep me neutral, or move me away? You want something that will move you forward.

2.) We are going to refresh with water!

The general rule of thumb is to drink half of your bodyweight (in ounces) in water, (this can include unsweetened herbal teas and even some fruits and veggies you have) and I know for some of you, that is asking enough! Just aim on increasing from what you normally do. Others of you do a great job, and this week, I am going to challenge myself to drink at least a gallon a day. I am going to mark a jug like I have pictured below to help me visualize. I’ll refill my cup from there! Keep lemon slices at the house or use some essential oils (my favorite is grapefruit and lemon!) and add it to every glass you drink.

If you do this, it will be a work in progress! This is just an eyeball of times for my day. Will probably have to adjust as the week progresses!

3.) Check in with a partner (or two or three!) once a day.

It’s only 7 days. You can do it.

4.) Schedule a “congrats” treat at the end of the 7 days.

Here’s the thing though–it does’t have to be food! Can it be? Sure, but there are plenty of other things you can use to treat yourself to!

We don’t start for a few more days (well, you over-achievers can if you want!) so I want this rest of this week and weekend to be prep week!

So let’s get started!

1.) Print off this printable. This will help you as you figure out YOUR plan!

2.) Get your partner! (WHY a partner?! Here is why I always have one!)

3.) PURGE!

Yes…get rid of it all! And no–this doesn’t mean to EAT it all! haha!

4.) CREATE a menu for the week.

You know what I always say–it’s hard to eat healthy foods when there aren’t any around!! Check out my PINTEREST Board for some meal (& challenge!) inspirations! I’ll share mine in a few days!

5.) Make a trip to the grocery!

This part is not necessary for everyone depending on your goals of this challenge. You may not get here for a few days into the challenge and that’s ok. Do your best! Here is an idea of the foods I get at the store!

This will make sure you get all the blog posts through the challenge AND any extra emails I might send JUST for my newsletter subscribers! (P.S. You’ll get my FREE 5 “Balanced Living” printable! It will help you through this week!)

6.) Thank God that He is with You through this whole challenge.

If you think you can do this on your own strength, then you are sadly mistaken! Invite Him into your day and decisions as soon as those pretty little feet hit the ground in the morning! Commit the Bible verse that I have on the above printable to memory if you can! (1 Corinthians 10:31)

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Next week we start (Monday, May 4th) so be sure to come back here where I’ll show you MY plan for the week and give you a few “rah rah’s” to get you going! So are you with me! If you are, please comment below and let me know what your main focus will be next week and of any “clean eating” resources that you use!! Share with you friends. Misery loves company! HAHAHAHAHA!!!

Already started this Monday, so I’m in. I can’t purge out things with 5 others (soon to be 7 with Brandon moving home for the summer). But I’m fine with their stuff around as long as I have choices. 🙂 Looking forward to the accountability.

If you knew how badly I have eaten since January, you would be shocked and insist on being my accountability partner. I am in one of the worst cycles since high school in the 80’s. I ate one meal today that included healthy food. So glad you are doing this. Show us lots about what you are doing. Ideas are in short supply here. Praying.

So ready for this! I’m going to see if I can’t do all three this coming week. One big challenge will be meal planning and sticking to it (how do you do that when you have a hectic schedule?). I’m also training for a 5k (with the race next Saturday), so I’m hoping thins will get me on better track with that. Thanks so much, Clare! I hope you are aware what a huge blessing you are along with the work you do to further His Kingdom!

I am definitely in! I have wanted to focus on clean eating. A challenge for me is meal planning and I am hoping this will help me with that. Thank you for sharing your tips with all of us and I know if I put God first in this process I will get through it and be that much happier for it! 🙂

I mostly eat this way anyway except I have indulged too much recently with dessert. I’m in – time to rein it in! Oh my. I just realized – You’ve made this include Mother’s Day. I will commit to this with the exception of Mother’s Day lunch. I’m going to eat the dessert my tween-age girl makes me!

I’m in. In January I started the 21 day fix program & Lost 9 lbs. it focuses on portion control & clean eating. Since Easter though It has become easier to eat junk & I just don’t feel as good- spiritually,mentally,or physically. I have been praying for strength & a new start. Hopefully this will get me started in the right direction again.

I love the simplicity of this….commiting a week feels doable, not overwhelming at all like so many other “plans.” Being in a place of gratitude and leaning into the Lord sounds just perfect to me. It makes me want to commit:)

I am committing to this challenge for my hubby and myself. We both just said that we need to clean up our food so that is what my focus will be on next week. We’ve got the refresh portion down. Thanks Clare for your inspiration and help!

I’m so excited to try this. I’m also very happy that you’ll show us the guideline to use, but since every person and situation is different, one exact plan for everyone is difficult. I’m ready to get back on track. I’ve been sick all week. It’s much needed. My biggest challenge is always the same, living in such small town areas, we have no close grocery stores that offer very good/fresh fruits and veggies. They are all out of town….although still doable, just makes it hard. But I did just plant my lettuce in my container pots on my deck. Fresh lettuce at my finger tips in 45 days !!!

I’m in. I was committed to clean eating and sustained that for three years and kept healthy and maintained my weight. I struggled with the balance though, it seemed like I was always consumed with the next meal, or next weeks plan for meals, or freaked out if we went somewhere for dinner. It really wrecked me, I want to get back on track but not be so obsessed. Now I need it more than ever. We have been building a house for the last nine months and have been eating to survive and not good meals either! Lol! Thanks Clare!

I see you have tuna listed in your Proteins. I like tuna, and used to work it in several times a week. But all the good/bad hoopla has scared me from it. In your opinion, if all I have to choose from is Walmart, for gosh sakes which tuna would you choose? Not sure the benefits of it outweigh the high mercury that will kill me next week. This brand, that brand, oh no now this one, never that one, only this one. It drives me a little bit crazy sometimes.

I am going to give this my all for 7 days, I want to feel better and stronger. I have lost 15 pounds since January 2 2015, and I had a 4-5 week slump, I have 20-30 pounds more I want to lose and I am determined to do this myself with no gimmicks and no pills etc. this will be my success, but I also need to be accountable. I just need a partner

I just wanted to say good for you! Losing weight is hard especially if you do it the right way! But it’s totally worth it! I lost about 80 lbs around 6 years ago and have had 3 kids since and am currently working on the last 16lbs of baby weight from my last baby. It’s hard every day but I know it will be worth it when I get back to my goal weight again! Good luck!

I’m in for this challenge! For the most part I eat pretty clean and healthy. However, with the past few weeks being so crazy I’ve been eating out more than I should. This challenge is exactly what I need to get me back on track! Thanks Clare! I will be eliminating sugar from my diet and focusing only on clean real food NO processed allowed! 🙂

Just came off a vacation and have allowed “sugar” to reign it’s ugly head in my life. So ready to “clean” it up and fill my temple with “good things”. Thank you for this challenge! I’m excited to join for the 1st time!

I am excited for this challenge and will be tackling all three areas. I have two accountability partners along with me and we are ready! I am done with “dieting” and believe God is telling me to focus less on food by just cleaning up my eating habits. I like the organizeyourselfskinny.com website for ideas on eating healthy.

I’m in! Working on reading through Trim Healthy Mama and working on getting more exercise in, but the biggest thing is prayer and time with the Lord! Praying for Him to help guide me in what He wants me to accomplish and what to put in my body. Thanks for the push!

I’m in! I mostly eat clean, but challenges like this help me say no to that bite, lick, or taste of things I don’t really need. This will just help me tighten it up a bit and practice mindfulness this week. Thank you!

I feel a little overwhelmed this morning and I forgot about this challenge until I checked FB this morning but I am not going to give up. We had a crazy busy weekend and ate lots of yummy food and now it is time to get back on track. I am going to focus on eating only when I’m actually hungry and also on not over-eating. I will also try to drink more water and cut down on coffee (and creamer :)) for the week. I would love an accountability partner. Could we start a FB group so we can keep in touch easily? I would love that so much!

I would avoid the 3 day detox (that isn’t needed for anyone-just my personal preference) And just make sure you are eating enough calories! But yes, you can absolutely eat clean while breastfeeding!
Clare